US8348771B2 - Cross shaft member and cross shaft joint with the same - Google Patents

Cross shaft member and cross shaft joint with the same Download PDF

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Publication number
US8348771B2
US8348771B2 US12/155,911 US15591108A US8348771B2 US 8348771 B2 US8348771 B2 US 8348771B2 US 15591108 A US15591108 A US 15591108A US 8348771 B2 US8348771 B2 US 8348771B2
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United States
Prior art keywords
shaft member
cross shaft
ridge
portions
cross
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Expired - Fee Related, expires
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US12/155,911
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English (en)
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US20080311999A1 (en
Inventor
Koichiro Mizuno
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JTEKT Corp
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JTEKT Corp
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Assigned to JTEKT CORPORATION reassignment JTEKT CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: MIZUNO, KOICHIRO
Publication of US20080311999A1 publication Critical patent/US20080311999A1/en
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
    • F16D3/00—Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive
    • F16D3/16—Universal joints in which flexibility is produced by means of pivots or sliding or rolling connecting parts
    • F16D3/26—Hooke's joints or other joints with an equivalent intermediate member to which each coupling part is pivotally or slidably connected
    • F16D3/38—Hooke's joints or other joints with an equivalent intermediate member to which each coupling part is pivotally or slidably connected with a single intermediate member with trunnions or bearings arranged on two axes perpendicular to one another
    • F16D3/40—Hooke's joints or other joints with an equivalent intermediate member to which each coupling part is pivotally or slidably connected with a single intermediate member with trunnions or bearings arranged on two axes perpendicular to one another with intermediate member provided with two pairs of outwardly-directed trunnions on intersecting axes
    • F16D3/41—Hooke's joints or other joints with an equivalent intermediate member to which each coupling part is pivotally or slidably connected with a single intermediate member with trunnions or bearings arranged on two axes perpendicular to one another with intermediate member provided with two pairs of outwardly-directed trunnions on intersecting axes with ball or roller bearings
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
    • F16D2300/00—Special features for couplings or clutches
    • F16D2300/06—Lubrication details not provided for in group F16D13/74

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a cross shaft member. More specifically, the invention relates to a cross shaft member for forming a cross shaft joint (universal joint) used in a propeller shaft, an intermediate shaft of a vehicular steering apparatus or the like.
  • a cross shaft joint has been used for interconnecting two shafts (not disposed on a common axis) in a torque-transmitting manner.
  • This cross shaft joint comprises a cross shaft member having four shaft portions arranged in a generally cross-shape on an outer periphery of a body portion thereof, a plurality of rows of cylindrical rollers (rolling elements) provided respectively around the shaft portions, and bearing cups (outer rings) mounted respectively around the rows of cylindrical rollers, an outer peripheral surface of each shaft portion being used as an inner ring raceway surface for the cylindrical rollers (see, for example, JP-A-2005-351401).
  • a recessed portion 23 is formed in a central portion of a body portion 22 of a cross shaft member 21 forming a cross shaft joint.
  • the body portion 22 has a brim surrounding the recessed portion 23 , and those portions (brim portions) 22 a of the brim each disposed between any two adjacent shaft portions 24 is thickened in order to enhance a static strength of the cross shaft member 21 .
  • the lightweight design is achieved by forming the recessed portion in the central portion of the body portion, the static strength is inevitably reduced as compared with the case where such recessed portion is not formed, and particularly it has been desired to increase the static strength of the brim portions 22 a on which a load concentrates depending on operating conditions, etc.
  • the static strength can be increased if the recessed portion is not formed in the body portion. In this case, however, the weight of the cross shaft member much increases, and this can not meet the above requirement of the lightweight design.
  • This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the invention is to provide a cross shaft member whose static strength can be greatly increased with a minimum weight increase and a cross shaft joint having such a cross shaft member.
  • a cross shaft member characterized in that the cross shaft member has four shaft portions arranged in a generally cross-shape around an outer periphery of a body portion thereof, and a recessed portion is formed in the body portion, and has a depth in a direction perpendicular to a plane in which axes of the four shaft portions lie;
  • ridge-like thickened portions are formed in the recessed portion, and are equally spaced from one another, and extend at an angle of about 45° relative to the axes of the shaft portions in the plane.
  • the four ridge-like thickened portions are formed in the recessed portion formed in the body portion, and are equally spaced from one another, and extend at an angle of about 45° relative to the axes of the shaft portions.
  • the strength of the cross shaft member includes a fatigue strength and a static strength, and this fatigue strength is determined by stresses, and therefore can be adjusted by changing the shape of a neck of each shaft portion, etc.
  • the static strength is less dependent on stresses, and is determined by a size (diameter) of the shaft portions and a volume of the body portion (i.e., a cross-sectional area of the body portion), and therefore in order to increase the static strength, it is necessary to increase the weight of the cross shaft member and particularly the weight of the body portion.
  • the inventor of the present invention has made an extensive study, and has found that what contributes to the increased static strength of the cross shaft member is not the overall volume of the body portion, but is the size of a cross-sectional area of the body portion through a plane disposed at an angle of about 45° relative to the axes of the shaft portions. Therefore, the four equally-spaced ridge-like thickened portions, extending at an angle of about 45° relative to the axes of the shaft portions, were formed in the recessed portion, and by doing so, the static strength of the cross shaft member could be greatly increased with a minimum weight increase.
  • a static strength generally equal to that obtained when the recessed portion is not provided can be secured.
  • the static strength thereof can be greatly increased with a minimum weight increase, so that the static strength of the cross shaft joint is greatly increased.
  • FIG. 1 is a partly cross-sectional, front-elevational view of a cross shaft joint including one preferred embodiment of a cross shaft member of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view showing an exemplary embodiment of a cross-section of a ridge-like thickened portion shown in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view showing another exemplary embodiment of a cross-section of a ridge-like thickened portion shown in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cross shaft member of FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cross shaft member according to Modification 1 of the invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cross shaft member according to Modification 2 of the invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view showing a cross section of the cross shaft member according to Modification 2 taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 5 .
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conventional cross shaft member.
  • FIG. 1 is a partly cross-sectional, front-elevational view of a cross shaft joint C provided with one preferred embodiment of the cross shaft member 1 of the invention.
  • This cross shaft joint C comprises the cross shaft member 1 having four shaft portions 3 arranged in a generally cross-shape on an outer periphery of a body portion 2 thereof, a plurality of (circular) rows of cylindrical rollers (rolling elements) 4 provided respectively around the shaft portions 3 , and bearing cups 5 rotatably mounted respectively on the shaft portions 3 through the respective rows of cylindrical rollers 4 .
  • FIG. 1 only the bearing cups 5 and yokes 12 (described later) are shown in cross-section for the better understanding.
  • the cross shaft joint C is connected via yoke members 11 in a torque-transmitting manner to each end of a propeller shaft interposed between a transmission and a differential gear or to each end of an intermediate shaft interposed between a steering main shaft and a steering gear shaft of a vehicular steering apparatus.
  • the yoke member 11 is of an integral or one-piece construction, and includes a tubular portion (not shown) fitted on the distal end of the propeller shaft or the intermediate shaft, and yokes 12 arranged in a bifurcated manner.
  • Each yoke 12 has a bearing hole 12 a through which the cross shaft joint C is mounted on the yoke member 11 .
  • a recessed portion (or concave portion) 7 is formed in a central portion of the body portion 2 of the cross shaft member 1 , and this recessed portion 7 has a depth in a direction perpendicular to a plane (imaginary plane) in which axes of the four shaft portions 3 (arranged in a generally cross-shape around the outer periphery of the body portion 2 ) lie, that is, has a depth in a direction perpendicular to the sheet of FIG. 1 .
  • ridge-like thickened portions 8 are formed in the recessed portion 7 , and are equally spaced from one another, and extend diagonally at an angle of generally 45° with respect to the axes of the shaft portions 3 in the above imaginary plane.
  • This ridge-like thickened portion 8 has a mountain-shaped or a parabolic cross-section as shown in FIG. 2A .
  • the body portion 2 has a brim surrounding the recessed portion 7 , and a height h of the ridge-like thickened portion 8 is generally equal to a height of those portions (brim portions) 9 of the brim directly extending respectively to the ridge-like thickened portions 8 .
  • This height h is generally uniform over the entire length of the ridge-like thickened portion 8 .
  • the height h of the ridge-like thickened portion 8 is such that the height of that portion 8 a thereof extending to the brim portion 9 is generally equal to the height of that portion 8 b thereof disposed near to a central portion of the recessed portion 7 .
  • reference numeral 10 denotes a grease supply hole for supplying grease to the bearings each comprising the row of cylindrical rollers 4 and the bearing cup 5 .
  • a tubular portion 20 is formed on and projects perpendicularly from the central portion of the recessed portion 7 .
  • Each ridge-like thickened portion 8 is integrally connected at its outer end with the brim portion 9 , and is also integrally connected at its inner end with an outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion 20 .
  • the four equally-spaced ridge-like thickened portions 8 are formed in the recessed portion 7 , and extend diagonally at an angle of generally 45° with respect to the axes of the shaft portions 3 in the above imaginary plane.
  • the static strength of the cross shaft member 1 can be greatly increased while suppressing the increase of the weight thereof, as described above.
  • the height h of the ridge-like thickened portions 8 is made generally equal to the height of the brim portions 9 (of the brim of the body portion 2 surrounding the recessed portion 7 ) directly extending respectively to the ridge-like thickened portions 8 , a static strength generally equal to that obtained when the recessed portion 7 is not provided can be secured.
  • the cross-sectional shape of the ridge-like thickened portion 8 is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 2A , but may be any other suitable shape such for example as a trapezoidal shape as illustrated in FIG. 2B in so far as the cross-sectional area through a plane disposed at an angle of 45° relative to the axes of the shaft portions 3 can be secured.
  • the height h of the ridge-like thickened portion 8 may not be uniform over the entire length thereof, and also the portion thereof disposed near to the central portion of the recessed portion 7 may be higher or lower than the portion thereof disposed near to the brim portion.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cross shaft member 1 A according to Modification 1.
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cross shaft member 1 B according to Modification 2.
  • FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view showing a cross section of the cross shaft member according to Modification 2 taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 5 .
  • the cross shaft 1 A includes four shaft portions 33 arranged in a generally cross-shape on an outer periphery of a body portion 32 thereof.
  • Four equally-spaced ridge-like thickened portions 38 are formed in a recessed portion 37 , and extend diagonally at an angle of generally 45° with respect to the axes of the shaft portions 33 in an imaginary plane in which axes of the four shaft portions 33 lie.
  • the height of the ridge-like thickened portion 38 in this modification is lower than the height of the brim portion 39 .
  • One end of each ridge-like thickened portion 8 is connected at a chamfered portion 39 A in the brim portion 39 .
  • the cross shaft 1 B includes four shaft portions 43 arranged in a generally cross-shape on an outer periphery of a body portion 42 thereof.
  • Four equally-spaced ridge-like thickened portions 48 are formed in a recessed portion 47 , and extend diagonally at an angle of generally 45° with respect to the axes of the shaft portions 43 in an imaginary plane in which axes of the four shaft portions 43 lie.
  • the height h 2 of the ridge-like thickened portion 48 in this modification is lower than the height of the brim portion 49 as shown in FIG. 6 .
  • Each of the cross shaft members 1 A and 1 B according to the above-described modifications constitutes a cross shaft joint C along with a plurality of (circular) rows of cylindrical rollers (rolling elements) provided respectively around the shaft portions 43 , and bearing cups rotatably mounted respectively on the shaft portions 43 through the respective rows of cylindrical rollers.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Shafts, Cranks, Connecting Bars, And Related Bearings (AREA)
US12/155,911 2007-06-13 2008-06-11 Cross shaft member and cross shaft joint with the same Expired - Fee Related US8348771B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2007155929A JP5358900B2 (ja) 2007-06-13 2007-06-13 十字軸部材
JPP2007-155929 2007-06-13

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US20080311999A1 US20080311999A1 (en) 2008-12-18
US8348771B2 true US8348771B2 (en) 2013-01-08

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US12/155,911 Expired - Fee Related US8348771B2 (en) 2007-06-13 2008-06-11 Cross shaft member and cross shaft joint with the same

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US (1) US8348771B2 (enExample)
JP (1) JP5358900B2 (enExample)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140174242A1 (en) * 2011-08-29 2014-06-26 Jtekt Corporation Steering system and cross joint
US10267400B2 (en) * 2016-04-07 2019-04-23 Jtekt Corporation Differential apparatus
US20250230843A1 (en) * 2022-04-04 2025-07-17 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Universal Joint With Emergency Operating Properties and Joint Shaft and Motor Vehicle Comprising the Universal Joint

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN116857272B (zh) * 2023-09-04 2023-12-12 万向钱潮股份公司 一种动平衡十字轴及其加工方法

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1324480A (en) * 1919-12-09 of cleveland
US2170315A (en) * 1938-02-11 1939-08-22 Robert L Wonderly Universal joint
US2844949A (en) * 1955-05-05 1958-07-29 Fraser Kenneth G Pinning construction for universal joint
JPH0431326A (ja) 1990-05-24 1992-02-03 Canon Inc 光学素子の製造方法
JP2002047552A (ja) 2000-07-28 2002-02-15 Koyo Seiko Co Ltd 十字軸
JP2002310181A (ja) 2001-04-16 2002-10-23 Toyota Motor Corp ユニバーサルジョイント
JP2005351401A (ja) 2004-06-11 2005-12-22 Koyo Seiko Co Ltd 十字軸継手
JP2006264399A (ja) 2005-03-22 2006-10-05 Ntn Corp 車輪用軸受装置
JP2007085474A (ja) 2005-09-22 2007-04-05 Jtekt Corp ユニバーサルジョイント

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2225594B1 (de) * 1972-05-26 1973-08-23 Uni Cardan AG, 5204 Lohmar Kreuzgelenk
JPH0516414Y2 (enExample) * 1985-03-28 1993-04-30
JPH0752976Y2 (ja) * 1990-07-12 1995-12-06 株式会社松井製作所 ユニバーサルジョイント

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1324480A (en) * 1919-12-09 of cleveland
US2170315A (en) * 1938-02-11 1939-08-22 Robert L Wonderly Universal joint
US2844949A (en) * 1955-05-05 1958-07-29 Fraser Kenneth G Pinning construction for universal joint
JPH0431326A (ja) 1990-05-24 1992-02-03 Canon Inc 光学素子の製造方法
JP2002047552A (ja) 2000-07-28 2002-02-15 Koyo Seiko Co Ltd 十字軸
JP2002310181A (ja) 2001-04-16 2002-10-23 Toyota Motor Corp ユニバーサルジョイント
JP2005351401A (ja) 2004-06-11 2005-12-22 Koyo Seiko Co Ltd 十字軸継手
JP2006264399A (ja) 2005-03-22 2006-10-05 Ntn Corp 車輪用軸受装置
JP2007085474A (ja) 2005-09-22 2007-04-05 Jtekt Corp ユニバーサルジョイント

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140174242A1 (en) * 2011-08-29 2014-06-26 Jtekt Corporation Steering system and cross joint
US8985627B2 (en) * 2011-08-29 2015-03-24 Jtekt Corporation Steering system and cross joint
US10267400B2 (en) * 2016-04-07 2019-04-23 Jtekt Corporation Differential apparatus
US20250230843A1 (en) * 2022-04-04 2025-07-17 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Universal Joint With Emergency Operating Properties and Joint Shaft and Motor Vehicle Comprising the Universal Joint

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Publication number Publication date
JP2008309205A (ja) 2008-12-25
US20080311999A1 (en) 2008-12-18
JP5358900B2 (ja) 2013-12-04

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